Hobart Handler 140?

[Aaron SEIA]

Curious if anyone has experience with these? I have a Lincoln tombstone for stick work, but would really like a smaller mig. No way can I afford a Miller or Lincoln. These seems to be a good compromise between the dirt cheap Northern/Harbor Freight stuff and the Millers. Around $500 new and I've seen them with a gas tank for $300 on Craigslist. Any thoughts?
AaronSEIA

 

[Welding man]

They are a good little machine for thin metals. I have one now I use to replace body panels and floorboards. I keep mine set up on .023 wire and 75-25 gas. If you run larger wires at near capacity, they will pop an occasional diode.The first one I had I used for years. I gave it away and bought a new about 3 years ago. Haven't had any problems with it.

 

[Phil9N3667]

I borrowed one from a co-worker to weld an elbow on an exhaust pipe a while back. It did fine and as welding man says-with 75-25 and solid wire, it's even better. The pipe I welded was an OEM International chrome pipe that had rusted out and IH wanted $350 for the pipe! TSC has these welders as do other big box stores. Good luck!

 

[JustIn Case]

We have one of these where I work and have been
quite satisfied with it. Id like have one of these
or next size bigger at home. As long as you have
the stick welder for the heavier work I think you'd
be pleased.

 

[Super-H-Mike]

I have had one for years and its a good little
machine, limited to thin stuff though.

 

[wisbaker]

IIRC Hobart is a part of ITW (Illinois Tool Works),
so is Miller, not saying they're the same but they
share DNA.

 

[Grampy]

Just my $.02. I started with a Lincoln 125, really liked it. Moved up to a Miller 172, liked it even better ! That led to a Miller 211 !! I still do some stick welding for heavy stuff, but I do everything from 16 ga. up to 1/4" with the Mig. I personally think the jump to a 220 volt machine is well worth it and you will find yourself using the wire feed for more things. Yep, sadly - more money. Hobart has similar sized machines & I'm sure they are good machines. I ended up with Miller because I have a local dealer.

 

[timcasbolt]

I agree that a 220 mig is much more useful than a 110, and well worth the extra cost.

 

[Chris(WA)]

I liked my Miller 135 when I got it as a companion
to my Ac buzz box. Did the job for quite a
while.Hardly ever fired up the buzzbox unless it
was real heavy welding. Then I got to enjoying the
wire feed so much I needed more power as well as
wanting to weld aluminum so I upgraded to a 211.
If your budget says the 140 is what you can afford,
go for it! If you can squeeze a few more bucks go
for a 211. You will not regret either decision!

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

Hi Aaron,

You mention prices on Craigslist, so you must not be afraid of shopping for used equipment. On top of that, you're not in a desperate hurry, which is also something in your favor. Why don't you take your time and wait for a small (175-185 amp) Miller or Lincoln MIG welder to come along (or Hobart if they make/made one that size)? You can do anything with that size welder that you can do with a 140, and a lot that you can't.

The Hobart 140 is undoubtedly a good welder, but the difference between 110v and 220v machines is a big, important difference.

Stan

 

[JGayman]

I have had a Hobart Handler 140 for a couple years. I use it with flux-core wire. It is a great little welder but it has limitations with thicker metal. I have mine on a dedicated 20-amp circuit and it will still occasionally pop the breaker when on setting #4.

If I had to do over again I would get the Hobart 210 MVP. It's only $300 more and it gives you 110V and 220V connectivity. So you have a portable unit that runs on 110V if you need it plus it's also a full-powered 220V machine. It gives you the best of both worlds and still less than $900.

 

[504]

You can buy a Lincoln 140 with a three year warranty for less than $500.00. We have 5-6 left over from the winter shows. (sold as used with the factory warranty) If you are in IA we are close.

 

[ohiodick]

I have a 140 nice machine. its for sale i want a
bigger one.

 

[Don-Wi]

Hobart is owned and made by Miller, so if you buy a Hobart you get a Miller. We bought an arc one a while back and that's a Miller as well. Came with a spool of Hobart wire in it, and uses Miller tips.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[ChrisWI]

I have one also that I enjoy. Works great for what it is. I bought it for light fabrication and body work. My only regret was not buying a 220v model. If I were to do it again I would go bigger and get the 110/220 model they have for the times you need it.

 

[Roy Suomi]

I have a Snap-On 220 volt mig welder that I love for around the shop use.. I also have a Hobart 135 amp 110 volt mig welder that I can take almost anywhere.. I haven't welded stick for about 10 years now.... I might have to get my Hobart portable out to see if it even runs....